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Tom Forkner

1918 – 2017

Businessman, lawyer, golfer

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About Tom Forkner

Lived 1918 – 2017 (aged 98). Tom Forkner was an American golfer, lawyer and entrepreneur, known for Waffle House.

Thomas Francis Forkner (June 14, 1918 – April 26, 2017) was an American businessman, lawyer, and notable senior golfer.

Biography Born in Hawkinsville, Georgia, on June 14, 1918, Tom Forkner was the fifth of seven children of Ben and Bessie Forkner; his siblings include Louise, Lawrence, Catherine, Ben, John, and William. Forkner graduated Young Harris Junior College before getting a law degree from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law. The son of a real estate agent, he practiced law until called to serve in World War II as an intelligence officer for the Manhattan Project. After his return from the war, he took over his father's real estate firm, working in Avondale Estates, Georgia. Inspired by the emergence of fast food chains like McDonald's, Rogers, who was a regional manager of the Toddle House chain of diners in Memphis, Tennessee, proposed that he and Forkner go into business together for a quick-service, sit-down restaurant. still worked for the company occasionally, including on major holidays. Forkner died on April 27, 2017, at the age of 98, only one month after the death of Joe Rogers, his business partner.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Known for
Waffle House
Education
Young Harris College
Also known as
Thomas Forkner, Thomas Francis Forkner

People in Tom Forkner's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Tom Forkner's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Tom Forkner?

Businessman, lawyer, golfer (1918–2017)

When was Tom Forkner born?

Tom Forkner was born on 14 June 1918 in Hawkinsville.

When did Tom Forkner die?

Tom Forkner died on 27 April 2017.

What was Tom Forkner's occupation?

Tom Forkner was a golfer, lawyer and entrepreneur.

What was Tom Forkner known for?

Tom Forkner was known for Waffle House.

What nationality was Tom Forkner?

Tom Forkner was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Tom Forkner

· Wikidata: Q7815839

· DBpedia: Tom Forkner

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tom Forkner. https://biography.guide/tom-forkner/

MLA: "Tom Forkner." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tom-forkner/.

Chicago: "Tom Forkner." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tom-forkner/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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